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The Benefits of Psychotheraphy

When people encounter the word “Psychotherapy,” they usually view it as a distinct process of treating psychological disorders. In reality, a trained psychotherapist will help and assess a client to determine their general and specific mental health issues. What is the source of their deep seated depression? What is the most ideal approach for that client?

Depending on the approach used by the therapist, the session starts with a therapeutic relationship through communication and dialogue.This process will establish rapport, so the psychotherapist can properly distinguish the behavior of the patient.

Psychotherapy And Counseling

Everyone should understand that psychotherapy is not just a treatment for the mentally ill, but it’s also an opportunity for everybody to determine their potentialities, especially when it comes to relationships. Relationships are essential to life itself, because we all need someone to depend on sometimes – “no man is an island.”

Through proper communication with the patients, we will understand their situation, and provide therapy so they can overcome their condition. Our understanding of people starts by knowing their tendencies; how they cope up with stress.

The therapy should be done from their own perspective. Patients should open up and share their past experiences. As a therapist, I must peek into their past lives, but sometimes patients are not willing to divulge their past. It will take a few sessions to finally break the barrier that inhibits them to share their experiences. That is why, clients must also learn my professional language – therapy room jargons that gets in the way of understanding. Although words and understanding is not enough, and insight is not an end in therapy.

The therapist must be able to dwell in their clients’ thoughts, so you can provide them an opportunity to really understand themselves. People with depression have a hard time connecting with their peers; their negative feelings are so strong that they become reclusive.

What Can Psychotherapy Do To Help With Clinical Depression?

The main role of psychotherapists is to help depressed individuals develop efficient strategies to cope with everyday stressors. Also, it can encourage them to use their medications properly. Many studies support the idea that psychotherapy can be a powerful alternative in treating clinical depression.

However, some researchers found out that combining depression medicine and therapy is not that effective. Based on their research involving 400 patients with treatment-resistant depression found that the use of behavioral therapy alongside medication can reduce depression symptoms.

A number of benefits can be gained from using psychotherapy. First, it helps reduce stress and provide new perspectives on various types of problems like: domestic or family problems, peer pressure and problems within the work area. You can easily cope with side effects, especially from the medications that you are taking. Most importantly, it can help you open up to other people and share to them your current condition.

What are the different types of psychotherapy?

There are different types of therapy and here are some of the most common method used today:

Cognitive Therapy – The main focus of this method is to identify the thoughts that contribute to your depression. The therapist will teach you how to deal with various situations and to help you challenge your preconceptions. This method will require you and your therapist to come up with concrete goals.

To battle depression, you need to have an outlet. Most of the time you get a “homework from your therapist” – you can apply problem solving techniques to tackle different types of situation or writing your recent experiences in a journal.

Interpersonal Therapy – This method focuses on your relationships with other people like your family, peers and colleagues. The therapy will concentrate on the practical issue, so you can better recognize unhealthy behaviors – and of course, a chance to change them.

Pscyhodynamic Therapy – Is considered the a traditional form of therapy, because your therapists will explore behavior patterns that can cause or add up to your depression. You may not be aware of these patterns, since you might get them from the traumas of your childhood.

Individual counseling – Is a one-on-one session with a certified therapist. It might be a psychiatrist or physician, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or nurse practitioner. Although they must have the experience in treating mood disorders. These therapists can help you understand the diagnosis, and you can also discuss new strategies to prevent depression, or to eliminate it in your life.

One-on-one sessions – Therapists in this particular method will focus on triggers that worsen depression. You will tackle your issues at work or at home, and encourage you to maintain a healthy connection with the people around you. You will also be required to adopt good habits, like regularly visiting your doctor, taking your medicines on time, and getting enough rest to recuperate from your condition.

Family counseling – In this method, it’s the whole family that are treated, and not just one person diagnosed with depression. In this situation, when a person has depression his or her family feels it, too. Family members will tend to help the person with depression, but without proper guidance – it can sometimes make things worse.

Family therapy can help all the family members learn about depression and how to identify early warning signs of trouble. This can improve a person’s lifestyle, sleep habits and medication. Family meetings can also benefit everyone, because it’s an opportunity for all family members to talk about the stresses they encounter. They can easily open up to other members of the family, although the therapist will be there to guide the conversation.

Group counseling sessions – Meeting strangers in a particular venue with a chance to share your experiences as well as the strategies you employ to improve their chances of coping depression is a good way of eliminating depression in your life. The meetings are often give-and-take, and each patient is given a chance to share their experiences.

Criticisms Against Psychotherapy

Many people question the effectiveness of psychotherapy and it is viewed as a secondary treatment for depression. In one study, Psychologist Hans Eysench revealed that only two-third of participants recovered on their own within two years, and the startling recovery cannot be attributed to psychotherapy.

Although in recent studies done in many universities in Europe, several psychologists have proven that psychotherapy is indeed an effective method in controlling depression. Group psychotherapist are instrumental in changing the lives of their patients.

How Do I find A Psychotherapist?

You will find a certified psychotherapist in clinics throughout the country. Usually, a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, counselor and psychiatric nurse. Find someone who has an expertise in helping people treat depression. You can ask for recommendations from your health care provider, or you can get in touch with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

AGPA serves as the voice of group therapy for mental health clinicians and the public-at-large, both nationally and internationally. The AGPA provides vital information on group psychotherapy in a variety of ways. Our efforts provide global access to group psychotherapy education and professional development, research, and outreach services. AGPA promotes awareness about the healing power of group.

It’s Raffle Time!

AGPA and the Group Foundation are having their annual Treasures for Technology Raffle and we invite you to participate in this fun event. The raffle supports one of our highly visible areas of public support – the new user-friendly AGPA website. This site reaches the public in their times of need and helps group therapists with distance learning, continuing education programs and other professional resources. It provides an interactive environment for all visitors to the site and is key to our mission to change lives through group psychotherapy. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. We are excited to once again bring you the chance for elegant prizes through a generous donation from Tiffany’s. Winners will be drawn at the AGPA Annual Meeting in San Francisco at the luncheon on February 28, 2015 (you do not need to be present to win).

The Local Hosting Society looks forward to welcoming us to San Francisco.

They have created an online Hospitality Guide for the 2015 Annual Meeting. This guide contains restaurant recommendations, local events and activities.

The 2015 AGPA Institute and Conference: Promoting Secure Attachments through Group Therapy

View a pdf of the printed program brochure or view the entire program with event descriptions using links below.

Special Institute Presentations, Monday, February 23

Two-Day Institute, Tuesday & Wednesday, February 24 & 25

Three-Day Conference, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, February 26-28

Make your selections today. You won’t want to miss this year’s Meeting; the theme is “Promoting Secure Attachments through Group Therapy.”

Discounted rates at Hyatt Regency San Francisco for the 2015 Meeting.

The rates are $215 single/double and $280 for Concierge level rooms.To take advantage of these discounted rates, you can also call the hotel at 800-633-7313 or 415-788-1234. Please note: If you have any difficulties securing a hotel room at the AGPA discounted rate, please contact the AGPA office.

Groups in Private Practice SIG Support Group

The Groups in Private Practice SIG is now offering an online group for members who would like to support one another, exchange ideas and share goals as they strive to establish new therapy groups in their own practices. This group is open to all AGPA members and is moderated by the Groups in Private Practice SIG Co-Chairs, Jason Berman, Ph.D., CGP, Carol A. Dallinga, LCSW, CGP and Allan Sheps, MSW. You can join this group in two ways, by logging in to the AGPA website and adding this group in the Update SIG Sections page or by contacting the AGPA office toll-free at (877) 668-AGPA (2472).

Center of Excellence in Group Psychotherapy Services

The Center of Excellence in Group Psychotherapy Services (CoE) was developed by the International Board for Certification of Group Psychotherapists, the certification body of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, to recognize organizations/practices that achieve and demonstrate excellence in group psychotherapy practice. This national designation as a CoE in group services provides the public and consumers with a benchmark to determine the quality of group treatment that they can expect to receive. The designation is available to mental healthcare delivery systems (e.g. community healthcare groups, hospitals, clinics, agencies, and group practices). To learn more about the CoE designation please visit the Centers of Excellence.